The Annual Pakkil trade fair at Pakkil, Kottayam, organized by the Devaswom Board in association with the Dharmasastha Temple, has been kicked off on 17 July 2017. It’s a month-long affair that will go on for the whole of the Malayalam month “Karkkadakom” – July 17 to Aug 16 (31 days).
The famous trade fair is held annually during the Ramayanam month. The Dharmasastha Temple at Pakkil has been conducting this for the last seventy years or so.
Besides traditional wares, the fair also displays and sells furniture, modern plastic products and ladies’ vanity bags.
Kerala’s rural market is kept alive through these kinds of fairs.
It’s heartening to note that Malayalees are showing more interest these days to participate, involve and promote such attempts targeted to keep their tradition alive and kicking!
“We are very happy to see people coming in large to check and buy our products! It’s a welcome change“, says traders at the Pakkil trade fair.
Staying true to the traditions and practices of ancient times of Kerala, the merchandise is priced reasonably and affordably. One can experience honesty, simplicity, straightforwardness and belongingness here.
It is in the immediate vicinity of the Dharmasastha Temple at Pakkil that the trade fair is always conducted. Elder villagers remember it to occupy larger areas near the temple decades ago.
Merchants from all over Kerala come to the Pakkil Annual Trade Fair to showcase and sell their crafts.
Though the shops are open from early morning, it is in the evening that the trade picks up its flair and volume.
The variety of good displayed and traded at the fair is really interesting. They exude Kerala’s rural culture, craft, class and richness. The agricultural background and mindset of Malayalees get a boost here.
Such fairs and celebrations organized by religious and other cultural organizations have the noble objective to promote companionship, mutual respect, unity (in diversity) and harmony among the public. Every responsible person should encourage such attempts.
Pakkil (the location of the fair) is very close to Kottayam town. It’s about 4 km from the town, with a deroute from M.C. Road, towards Changanacherry. Please check the map given at the end of this article.
The Pakkil Trade Fair will end on Aug 17, 2017 (Malayalam month “Chingam” 1st). We, myKottayam.com, invite everyone to visit the Pakkil Annual Trade Fair. It’s worth your time and money.
If you can’t see the embedded Map, click here.
